HBO Go isn't a very good app—this is the harsh truth. Yet, people put up with it because HBO has content that they want to see. The app is getting an update today (standard and Android TV) that adds some long overdue features. We could complain that HBO Go is just now getting binge mode, or we could be thankful it's here. That's actually a lie; we can do both.

Here's the changelog for the standard client for phones and tablets.

Pick up watching a series where you left off

Continuously watch your favorite series with the new automated binge mode

Improved series landing page

Bug Fixes

The Android TV app is the same, minus the landing page (those don't exist in the ATV version). So now, you can finally queue up a series and blow through episodes one after another without manually selecting them. The app will also remember where you stopped watching the next time you open it. Yes, these are things other streaming apps have always done.

The revamped series landing page is seen above, and there's another (the phone version) just below here. It's much easier to navigate, and less ugly.

Left: new, Right: old

The updates are live in the Play Store. Remember, HBO Go is the version of the app for those who have HBO via a cable subscription... or those who have "borrowed" a friend's or family member's login.

I was just about to say, "You forgot to put the obligatory 'still no Comcast support on Android TV' line in the article."

Steve Wright

Now... if they can just update the Roku version now.

Duder12

Rokus app development is garbage and most apps are either vudeo templates or brightscript crap. I wouldn't expect much.

If you want great apps on the TV invest in AndroidTV, Fire TV or Apple TV.

Evan Jenkins

Unless it now works for Comcast subscribers, I guess I'll have to keep casting (and losing my cast thanks Android memory management!) from the app. Joy

hooch

Cancel your HBO through Comcast and get HBO Now instead. Then you get the added bonus of not giving Comcast extra money.

Duder12

This.

Bruce Wayne

Or just get PS Vue with HBO. Best TV experience.

F4LL0U7

To others who have "borrowed" a friend's or family member's login:

Does HBO prevent you from casting to your TV if you're not physically in the location where the subscription is active? I tried with my sister's login, and I could play episodes on my phone, but not on my Chromecast.

As someone not "borrowing" a login, I wish I could test this, but I am literally the only person I know who has any sort of Chromecast support on anything, and it's built into my TV so I can't exactly take it to a friend's house for testing.

Seth Merritt

no.

Bryan

Thank God. I originally had HBO Now, and switched to HBO Go when we got that added to our cable package. I don't know why they would need two separate apps, but going to the HBO Go felt like going back in time 5 years.

josh rosales

I hope this will work with the MiBox now!

Richard Branches

"HBO Go isn't a very good app—this is the harsh truth" if that's what you think about the app in the US, the app in latin america is worst!! it's trash!!, the only device with support so far is the Xbox 360!!, no chromecast, no android tv, no smart tvs, nothing!, it's so frustrating and annoying!! 😡😡😭😭 obviously we've asked for support for more devices but who knows when will they get some attention 😒...

sam1331

Thank you for acknowledging the obvious flaws of the HBO apps. Most tech sites pretend they don't exist. Content only gets you so far, I probably would still have a subscription if they made viewing HBO content a pleasant experience. Now if they could just customize the homescreen to show me what I, a "new HBO subscriber," would want to watch rather than the latest episodes of shows I've never seen, I might consider subscribing again.

Gibki Bongo

Still the Android TV app is only available on a small number of markets.

keithzg

Well, I mean, up here in Canada the Android app isn't available at all, so count yourself lucky if you're only missing the Android TV variant ;)

phdzor

Right in time for one year anniversary since Google bothered to update YouTube for Android TV.

Bruce Wayne

Why change what works.

pfmiller

HBO Now crashes on launch on Shield TV since the update a month ago. Plus it has none of these​ features.

Maybe they should focus on making one decent app instead of two shitty apps that serve the exact same purpose.

Duder12

Did you hit up the support email and let them know?

pfmiller

I've sent probably dozens of crash reports to them.

effApple

about damn time they offer these features... how long has Netflix had this?

TechJunkie198

what they need to fix is how the app constantly decides to sign out. Even after pressing the Remember checkbox (which is the tiniest box in the world to check and takes 50 attempts to check off, and doesn't do a damn thing anyway). atleast when signing in through Charter/Spectrum.

Stephen Crow

Why available in the US only? If it's HBO content on an HBO application, why can't I the consumer choose to buy a sub directly through this app, regardless of my geographical location?
Without going to the bother of creating a false account or other workarounds that I'm sure exist.